9 Answers

-1

Heard the story of a pilot who was on a stopover there. He was tricked into some bar & when he went to leave his exit was blocked. He was either frog marched to the nearest ATM or they forced the code out of him there & then, can't remember, & they cleaned out his card.

Other scams, not sure was it in Istanbul, is to be tricked into a bar & handed an extortionate bill at the end of the night. If you refuse to pay you're threatened until you cough up. Your life ain't worth it. In other words don't let anyone trick you into a bar or anywhere else even if the're the most beautiful creature on earth.

I had no bad experiences because I was on a university trip & we were chapeoned like VIP's with local guides everywhere;) I loved the sheer exoticness of it and the buildings & musemns. The trip down the Bosphorous was great and dining on a hieght beside it on the Asian side watching the sun set over Europe was great.
over 6 years ago

so exoticness, bosphorus, food, sunset and europe/asia connection are the keywords in the good area.and the cheating in the bar is negative story.

my recommendation about the bar: it is most probably a night club, which mostly locals even hesitate to enter (other than their regular customers); so think twice to enter a club at the night if you dont see the inside :) (if the place is recommended in a guide, of course have no doubt)
over 6 years ago

Istanbul is a huge and wonderful city - but like any city in the world, there is an underside to it that you want to stay clear of.

I loved how open the people are, how friendly everyone can be, the amazing food, the fantastic architecture and heritage and the general feel of Istanbul. I have been many times and have never had a problem and have always enjoyed my trips there, but, like with any other place that I travel to, I am cautious without being extreme.

I wouldnt, for example, dress provocatively, walk very late at night in an area I didnt know, accept a lift/drink/dinner from a stranger - in other words, if its something I wouldnt do in my home country, then its not something I would do in a foreign country.

Places I have loved : a ferry trip on the Bospherous, walking around the neighbourhoods, the Cisterns, sitting in a cafe and watching the world go by, the Blue Mosque etc.

The negatives : pick pocketing, petty theft and being involved in a road traffic accident - but these can happen and do happen everywhere else in the world.
over 6 years ago

Be careful with the kids in istiklal street they may be carriying knivesAlso try to avoid the small clubs and the night clubsReal best clubs are in ortaköy and you will realise them as you see
over 6 years ago

Istanbul is an amazing city and quite safe if you are alert. Forget the weird stories but be careful of too friendly carpet sellers! Use your Lonely Planet guide to good effect by searching out the places mentioned further down the list- trip up the Bosporus by local ferry to the end, a walk down Istiklal cadessi, Turkish breakfast in Bebek; and if you are adventurous go out to Princes Islands. I loved the frescoes at Karimanye (chora).
over 6 years ago